EPA Awards $5.9 million Grant to Pennsylvania to Fight Pollution from Storm Water Runoff

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has awarded $5,900,100 to help control storm water runoff throughout Pennsylvania.

The EPA grant, which was matched with $3,933,400 from the state, supports the state’s non-point source water pollution control program, which includes numerous storm water projects designed to protect Pennsylvania waterways.

"EPA is pleased to support Pennsylvania’s effort to cleaning up waterways that have been impaired by storm water related runoff. This funding will be used to support projects that are vital to protecting and improving water quality for drinking water, recreational activities and to preserve the natural habitat," said Donald S. Welsh, administrator for EPA’s mid-Atlantic Region.

Storm water pollution—sometimes called non-point source pollution—is caused by rainfall or melting snow moving over or through the ground and carrying natural or human-made pollutants into lakes, streams, rivers, and other water bodies. In Pennsylvania, the major causes of non-point source pollution are farming, mining and land development activities.

Projects supported by the program will help improve farm management practices to reduce nutrients and sediment from entering nearby water bodies, aid in the treatment of streams affected by acid mine drainage from active or abandoned coal mines, and reduce storm water runoff from urban and suburban development.

Source: EPA